Soccer Team Darfur United Announces Fifteen Player Roster that Will Compete at the 2012 Viva World Cup in Iraqi Kurdistan
“They have had nothing positive to celebrate and have been losing hope of any future beyond the confines of the refugee camp. This team means so much more to them than just a game of football. It gives all refugees something to celebrate, and it gives them a connection to the outside world.” ~i-ACT Founder and Director Gabriel Stauring
The dream is shaping up for Darfur United…as reported earlier, we will be following the progress of this amazing all-refugee soccer team.
Sixty-one players tried-out for a spot on the team in a refugee camp close to the Chad-Sudan border…they came from the twelve refugee camps that dot the area…fifteen players were chosen…this team will represent Darfur, the embattled region of Sudan, in the 2012 Viva World Cup in June, a soccer tournament for nationless people and other groups not represented by FIFA, the international soccer federation. Continue reading
Darfur United Soccer Team Gaining Momentum
An Athlebrity favorite, Darfur United, has launched a new feature-pod casting- to keep you up to date with the formation of the Darfur United soccer team.
As you may recall, we spoke with i-ACT Founder/Director Gabriel Stauring back in January, where he explained what Darfur United was all about.
“We’re creating a team from the best soccer players in the twelve Darfuri refugee camps in Eastern Chad—one team representing Darfur—and calling it Darfur United. We are working hard to get this team to participate in international tournaments, with our first and great opportunity being the Viva World Cup.” Continue reading
Humanitarian Creates Dream Team: An Interview
“They are a population that has lost everything, and even hope is starting to fade. Darfur United gives them a sense of being part of something greater than being what they are now labeled: a refugee.” ~i-ACT Founder/Director Gabriel Stauring
Since 2005, the Founder and Director of i-ACT, Gabriel Stauring has visited Darfur 11 times, namely-the refugee camps along the Chad/Sudan border. The non-profit’s volunteer arm, Stop Genocide Now, has garnered international attention and now, i-ACT is essentially creating a soccer team made up of the best players from the refugee camps along the border.
The team is called Darfur United.
In addition to his numerous visits to Darfur, Stauring has spearheaded campaigns such as the 100-Day Fast for Darfur, Darfur Freedom Summer Vigils, Camp Darfur, Darfur Fast for Life, and is featured in ‘The Enough Moment’ by John Prendergast and Don Cheadle.
Athlebrities was thrilled to interview this amazing man about issues related to Darfur, the refugees in that area, how the beautiful game can change lives, and what we can do to help. I opted to run the interview, unedited, in its entirety because, quite frankly, every word is important. Continue reading
Gift of Hope: Darfur United
Gift of Hope: Darfur United
“A simple round object made out of just about anything, a ball, can bring joy to the harshest places on earth.” Gabriel Stauring from his note ‘10 Things I’ve Learned’
A little while ago I wrote about Darfur United, and as I always do after a post, I follow the activities of the organization closely in efforts to feel confident in my posts. This year, hands down, Darfur United has exceeded my expectations. Continue reading
Darfur United Soccer Team: A Refugee Soccer Team’s Journey: On and Off the Field
Darfur United Soccer Team: A Refugee Soccer Team’s Journey: On and Off the Field
WHO? Darfur United.
WHAT? Build a Darfur soccer team of the best players from the twelve refugee camps in eastern Chad to participate in an international tournament.
WHY? Share the story of building the team to raise awareness and educate people about the situation in Darfur and the refugee experience. Facilitate ongoing support for education, sports, nutrition, and other services through relationships between refugees and global citizens.
In Darfur, Soccer is THE Game from iActivism on Vimeo.
Darfur United – This project will be a “living documentary,” as we share every step of the journey. The story will be told, day to day, through the Darfur United website, Facebook, Twitter, and on Indiegogo. We will then produce a documentary film of the entire journey.
Darfur United – a soccer team composed of the best players from the Darfuri refugee camps in eastern Chad – will give Darfuris an opportunity they have never had: a chance to cheer for their own. Check it all out at i-ACT: A global team dedicated to putting a face on the numbers of dead, dying, and displaced while creating mutually enriching relationships between those in danger and those willing and able to act, fostering a new culture of participation…the i-ACT Team has been traveling to the Darfuri refugee camps in Eastern Chad since 2005.
Please check em out if you love soccer, kids, hope and inspiration…for a small donation you can help build the real “dream team.”
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com